Over 1,300 Diphtheria Deaths Recorded As Vaccination Gaps Persist – NCDC

Published

6 months ago

March 16, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says 1,319 deaths have been recorded in the country’s ongoing diphtheria outbreak.

The NCDC said this in its latest situation report from the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) published on Sunday via its official website.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

It typically affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, where the bacterium produce a toxin that can lead to complications such as breathing difficulties, heart failure or nerve damage.

Vaccination is the primary means of prevention, and early treatment with antitoxins and antibiotics is crucial for managing the disease.

The NCDC said that over 42,000 suspected cases had been reported across 37 states since 2022.

“The report covered Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025.

“It highlighted persistent challenges in tackling the disease, including low vaccination coverage, inadequate laboratory capacity and delayed case confirmation,” it said.

According to the NCDC, Kano State accounts for 75 per cent of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812.

Other high-burden states include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408) and Katsina (1,501).

The public health agency said that the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 5.1 per cent, meaning one in every 20 confirmed cases results in death.

“In some states, the mortality rate is even higher.

“Kaduna recorded the per cent, Plateau has 48 per cent, Lagos has 83 per cent and Adamawa has 80 per cent,” it said.

In the latest reporting week, the agency said that 23 new suspected cases were reported – 20 in Lagos and three in Katsina.

It, however, said that none has been confirmed yet, with 56.5 per cent of cases still unclassified due to delays in laboratory confirmation.

The NCDC said the Federal Government had launched reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden states and intensified community engagement with traditional and religious leaders.

Public health experts have warned that late diagnosis and poor access to treatment may be contributing to these high fatality rates.

Despite Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), the report revealed that only 4,981 (19.3 per cent) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.

According to Dr Solomon Chollom, a medical virologist, the numbers indicate a critical gap in routine immunisation coverage, particularly in northern Nigeria.

Chollom emphasised the need for urgent mass vaccination campaigns, particularly targeting children aged one year to 14 years, who make up 62.9 per cent of confirmed cases.

He said that another alarming finding was Nigeria’s limited testing capacity.

“In 2024, all cases were confirmed based on clinical symptoms rather than laboratory testing, indicating shortages of reagents and PCR capacity for diphtheria diagnosis.

“This raises concerns about the actual burden of the disease.

Without widespread testing, we could be underreporting or misdiagnosing cases,” he said.

Recalls that the government has promised to improve laboratory capacity and optimise protocols for PCR testing, but implementation has been slow.

Experts advised that there is the need for a nationwide diphtheria vaccination drive, improved disease surveillance and a steady supply of diagnostic materials.

With Nigeria facing one of its worst diphtheria outbreaks in decades, health officials warn that without improved vaccination and surveillance efforts the situation could worsen.

The government has outlined certain steps to be taken.

They include increasing case management support and data harmonisation across affected states and improving laboratory diagnosis through PCR testing on clinical samples.

Others are and expanding vaccination coverage to close immunity gaps, particularly among children and strengthening public awareness campaigns through social media and community engagement.

Public health experts say preventive vaccination remains the best defence for now, urging parents to ensure that their children receive routine immunisations

JUST IN: Tinubu Directs INEC Chairman Yakubu To Immediately Proceed On Leave

Published

3 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

Insider sources say the move comes in response to what they described as Mahmood’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress government that appointed him.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day working vacation, alleging that Mahmood’s efforts to register new political parties at the end of his tenure had disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.

The governor also claimed that Mahmood was covertly backing a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.

Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Mahmood suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.

The decision has thrown the commission’s schedule into disarray, leading to the abrupt cancellation of Mahmood’s final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, as well as a planned session with civil society organisations.

Tinubu is now expected to submit the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days.

Mahmood was appointed to office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, succeeding acting chairperson, Amina Zakari.

News

400 Golfers Storm Abuja For Nigeria @ 65 Tourney

Published

4 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

More than 400 golfers are set to compete in the Nigeria @ 65 Independence Golf Tournament at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.

The week-long tournament, organised to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, will also honour retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Army.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr James Agbonhese, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the tournament aims to promote unity, camaraderie and national pride.

“This is more than a sporting competition. It is a reflection of our national values; unity, perseverance, discipline and excellence,” Agbonhese said.

He said the event would also feature the commissioning of new facilities at the resort, including a midway hut, a modern golf practice range, a back nine starter shed and a golf cart bay.

Agbonhese commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Grand Patron of the tournament, for his unwavering support.

The Vice Chairman of TYB Golf Club, Dr Ali Peters, who represented the Club Captain, Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya, said the event was a symbolic tribute to the military’s role in safeguarding national unity.

“As we celebrate, we must reflect on the legacy of our founding fathers and the sacrifices that brought us this far,” Peters said.

He added that the new facilities would greatly improve the golfing experience for members and visitors.

Jummai Adamu, a member of the LOC, said more than 100 female golfers, including three professionals, would participate in this year’s tournament, reflecting golf’s growing popularity among women in Nigeria.

Tournament Manager, Mr Shola Adebayo, said the event would feature daily games, networking sessions and cultural showcases.

“It’s set to deliver not just top-level golf but an unforgettable experience for everyone involved,” he said.

News

Fire On Board Forces Lagos-Atlanta-bound Aircraft Diversion To Ghana

Published

4 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

A Delta Airlines flight en route from Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta, United States, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Accra, Ghana, following a fire incident in the aircraft’s oven.

According to the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, on Thursday, the incident occurred on Tuesday, 23 September, affecting Flight DL055, which had departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He said airline officials confirmed that while the fire was swiftly contained and posed no threat to passengers, the delay caused the crew to exceed their expected duty time, making them unable to continue the journey as scheduled.

Following the unscheduled landing in Accra, the airline initiated rebooking arrangements for stranded passengers. Some were accommodated on a Delta Accra-New York service the same evening, with further passengers rebooked on the following night’s flight.

He said, “However, some passengers were rebooked on the airline’s Accra-New York flight the same evening, and this effort was repeated on Wednesday night for additional passengers.

“Flight DL055 LOS – ATL finally departed from Accra today, 25 September 2025, at approximately 1200 hrs.”

In a related development, Delta Airlines also cancelled its inbound flight ATL-LOS (Atlanta to Lagos) for Thursday, 25 September.
Though passengers were said to have been informed in advance, “The airline provided hotel accommodations and ground transport for those who still reported to the airport.”

To mitigate the disruption, the airline rebooked 23 affected passengers on Air France, while others were scheduled to travel via British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.

The remaining passengers will be airlifted on Delta’s regularly scheduled flight tomorrow, 26 September, at 11:40 a.m.

He added, “Regarding today’s 25 September 2025 ATL – LOS arrival cancellation, although passengers were duly informed about the cancellation, the airline accommodated those who arrived at the airport by providing transportation to hotels as reported in the flight disruption this morning.

“Twenty-three passengers had been rebooked on Air France, while others would be airlifted on British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa Airlines. The remaining passengers are scheduled to depart on the airline’s scheduled flight tomorrow, 26 September 2025, at 1140 hrs.”

Contrary to earlier reports, the Air France flight from Lagos has not been cancelled and is expected to operate at 01:30 a.m.

“Air France flight has not been cancelled as speculated, but would operate at 0130 hrs. Kindly note that I am attending meetings in Montreal, but I have had to constantly leave the hall to make calls and get feedback.

“Follow-up continues. While wishing you safe travels, do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is a further need to,” Achimugu added.